Is the frozen elephant trunk frozen?

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019 Jan;67(1):111-117. doi: 10.1007/s11748-018-0911-4. Epub 2018 Mar 28.

Abstract

The elephant trunks, either conventional or frozen represent the major technical improvements in the treatment of complex thoracic aortic disease. In the last decades, these useful techniques progressively evolved along with the introduction of new devices to facilitate the procedure and ameliorate post-operative results. The latest multi-branched hybrid FET prostheses give us the opportunity to greatly facilitate graft implantation and reduce operative times. The following review will provide an overview of the FET technique throughout the current available devices, possible surgical indications and principal surgical steps.

Keywords: Aortic; Aortic arch; Cerebral perfusion.; Elephant trunk; Frozen.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aorta / surgery
  • Aorta, Thoracic / physiopathology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / physiopathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology